Alec Kessler Obituary

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) - Alec Kessler, a Georgia basketball star who played four seasons for the Miami Heat before becoming an orthopedic surgeon, died after collapsing during a pickup game. He was 40.

He appeared to have had a heart attack Saturday in Pensacola, Fla., and was pronounced dead a short time later, the University of Georgia said Sunday.

Kessler, was the captain of Georgia's 1990 Southeastern Conference championship team and became a first-round NBA draft pick.

When Kessler enrolled at Georgia in 1985, he was a little-known recruit with few offers from Division I schools. After a redshirt season, he spent one year as a backup before blossoming for the Bulldogs.

During his senior season, Georgia won its only SEC basketball title. In his last college game, Kessler became the Bulldogs' career scoring leader with 1,788 points, a mark surpassed the following year by Litterial Green.

Kessler was drafted No. 12 overall by the Houston Rockets, which promptly traded him to Miami. During his time with the Heat, he averaged 5.2 points and 3.6 rebounds. After leaving the NBA he began a career in medicine.

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) - Alec Kessler, a Georgia basketball star who played four seasons for the Miami Heat before becoming an orthopedic surgeon, died after collapsing during a pickup game. He was 40.

He appeared to have had a heart attack Saturday in Pensacola, Fla., and was pronounced dead a short time later, the University of Georgia said Sunday.

Kessler, was the captain of Georgia's 1990 Southeastern Conference championship team and became a first-round NBA draft pick.

When Kessler enrolled at Georgia in 1985, he was a little-known recruit with few offers from Division I schools. After a redshirt season, he spent one year as a backup before blossoming for the Bulldogs.

During his senior season, Georgia won its only SEC basketball title. In his last college game, Kessler became the Bulldogs' career scoring leader with 1,788 points, a mark surpassed the following year by Litterial Green.

Kessler was drafted No. 12 overall by the Houston Rockets, which promptly traded him to Miami. During his time with the Heat, he averaged 5.2 points and 3.6 rebounds. After leaving the NBA he began a career in medicine.

Guest Book Highlights

"I still can't believe this he was such a great humble guy! I worked with Alec when he was a resident at CMC, such a funny guy! you are missed Alec my condolences to the family I can't imagine how much y'all must miss him!"- Lupita Fry (Raleigh, NC)

"To the family, I express condolences. Now Alec has the opportunity to be chosen as one of those "meek" ones who the Lord , at Matt 5:5, says will someday inherit the earth. Respectfully yours, GH"- G H (Winder, GA)

"Peace to his wife and sons. He was a gentleman. Microbiology would not have been memorable without him. You all are thought of often and will not be forgotten."- Dawg Friend (Columbia, SC)

"WOW...cant believe he passed away! I use remember when I was a teenager in Hallandale FL, I use to hang out with him at a furniture store that he and his wife owned, and help them around the store. He was so nice. Here Iam just browsing threw the..."- Tobias Barbir (Raleigh, NC)

"We fondly remember, and greatly miss, Dr. Kessler. What a wonderful person, and an incredible surgeon. We will always be grateful for his saving Bryan's leg in 2005. God bless your family."- Wendy Paull (Pensacola, FL)

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Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on October 14, 2007

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Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on October 17, 2007

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Published in the Miami Herald on October 14, 2007

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Published in the Miami Herald on October 17, 2007

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Published in The Palm Beach Post on October 14, 2007

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